Lee Bright To Launch US Senate Bid

S.C. Sen. Lee Bright (R-Spartanburg) has rolled out a new website heralding the launch of his U.S. Senate bid against two-term incumbent Lindsey Graham.

Bright’s site – www.BrightForSenate.com – urges viewers to sign up for his campaign newsletter so that they will know “the moment he announces.”

Really? We hate to spoil the suspense, but FITS readers have known of Bright’s intentions since February, so his official entry into the fray isn’t exactly groundbreaking news. Guess he was just waiting on Jesus regarding the timing of his announcement (Bright has repeatedly told supporters he believes it is “God’s will” for him to challenge Graham).

Yeah …

Anyway, when he makes his formal declaration, Bright will become the third Republican to step forward against Graham – joining Charleston, S.C. businesswoman Nancy Mace (the first female graduate of The Citadel military college) and Richard Cash, a social conservative who was narrowly defeated in the GOP runoff for South Carolina’s third congressional district two years ago.

Former S.C. Treasurer Thomas Ravenel has also hinted at a possible challenge to Graham, and Orangeburg, S.C. attorney Bill Connor – who ran unsuccessfully for S.C. Lt. Governor in 2010 – is also mulling a challenge.

South Carolina is a runoff state, which means that if no “anti-Graham” emerges prior to next June’s primary, Graham would likely face off against one of these opponents in a head-to-head matchup two weeks after the primary election.

Let’s get something clear right away regarding Bright: We love his voting record as a member of the South Carolina Senate. Absolutely love it. He has been one of the most consistent fiscal conservatives ever to serve in the S.C. General Assembly – and he deserves tremendous credit for his unswerving allegiance to the best interests of Palmetto State taxpayers.

The problem? Bright is one of the most sanctimonious social conservatives we’ve ever met – which means it will be difficult for him to assemble the sort of broad-based coalition that’s necessary to unseat Graham. Bright is also … well … not so “bright,” and has a dubious business history which we expect his opponents to pounce on.